Ottawa + Rideau Canal: Must-See Spots 🌟

🌍When I arrived in Ottawa yesterday afternoon, it suddenly started raining. I braved the rain and walked to Parliament Hill. As the rain gradually stopped, the sun🌞 peeked through the clouds. I thought there must be a rainbow, and finally, I saw a partial one. I sat on the gate of the Rideau Canal and watched the sunset. 🌟What a lucky moment! Ottawa is situated on higher ground, with a significant elevation difference from the St. 🌞Lawrence River. The Rideau Canal, built 200 years ago, links a series of lakes and waterways, 🌍 stretching over 200 kilometers from Kingston on Lake Ontario to Ottawa. It's the only waterway on the same level as Ottawa's downtown, making it the closest water system. The banks of the canal are lined with endless grasslands and forests, perfect for running, cycling, and boating. 🌲 I left at 6:50 AM, 🌊first running to the waterfall where the Rideau Canal meets the St. Lawrence River, then through a forest-covered neighborhood of independent villas, and past several huge riverside parks. 🌈 By the time I got back home at 8:30, I was still craving more. After breakfast, 🌞 🌍I rented a bike and cycled for four hours, exploring the canal, parks, grasslands, and forests. Along the way, I played with dogs, squirrels🐿️ (there are many black squirrels in Ottawa), Canadian geese, and wild ducks. Even after the ride, I still felt like I hadn't had enough and wanted to go canoeing. I just love being surrounded by such beautiful nature! 🌊 When you open Google Maps, 🌈you'll see that this land is dotted with countless lakes—allegedly 500,000 in total, not counting the Great Lakes. 🌟 Even if you only choose the larger ones, you'll have plenty to explore for a lifetime! 🌍 🌞#Canada #Ottawa #RideauCanal